Mail-cabinet.



C. M. HAMILTON.

MAIL CABINET.

APPLICATION Hum 11012226, 1900.

974,263. Patented Nov .1,1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

CASSIUS M. HAMILTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ADDISON C. THOMAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-CABINET.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CAssms M. HAMIL- TON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my present invention is to provide a mail cabinet having compartments for the storage of mail, all constructed and arranged in such a way that the mail will be protected from dust and water, and can be delivered at its destination in a dry and clean condition.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cabinet particularly adapted for the use of mail carriers working in suburban or rural districts, enabling such carriers to deliver the mail in a speedy manner, and without repeated sorting and handling.

A further object is to provide a cabinet having a part removable from the delivery vehicle, and suited to serve as a receptacle into which the postmaster at the distributing office may place the letters, each in its appropriate compartment, during the first sorting of the mail at that post office. This procedure relieves the carrier of the necessity for personally handling and sorting the mail before starting on his route.

An embodiment of my invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification in which- Figure 1 illustrates, somewhat diagrammatically, the manner in which the mail cabinet may be mounted 011 a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet with one compartment open. Fig. 3 is a detail of the hin 'e, and Fig. 4t shows the location of a water tight gasket around the front edge of a compartment.

In the construction shown, the cabinet comprises a segmental casing 1, having a fiat bottom 2, and provided at its open front with a flange 3, having perforate ears 4:, whereby the casing may be removably bolted to the dashboard or wind-screen 5 of a vehicle such as is shown in Fig. 1. The entire casing may be of metal, and water tight. The curved front of the casing normally projects in front of the dashboard, and may be exposed to rain and sleet without danger of injury to the mail stored inside. WVithin this segmental casing 1, are mounted a plu- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. November 26, 1909.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

Serial No. 529,870.

rality of compartments 6 and 7, each of which has a rectangular front 8, preferably of sheet metal, which is pivotally mounted at its lower edge on hinges. The hinges can with advantage be of the type shown in Fig. 3. The compartment, of which each front 8 forms a part, is segmental in shape to fit the casing 1, and is provided with a plurality of pockets or pigeon holes 9, r dially disposed with respect to the hinge, and serving receptacles for letters and the like. Each pocket may be suitably marked, as by means of figures or letters painted on the outside of the curved upper wall 10 of the compartment. A long pocket 11 may be provided immediately adjacent to the front wall, for the storage of maps and long magazines, and a pocket 12, of seg mental shape, may be provided between pockets 9 and 11, to be used for the storage of newspapers, packages and the like. Suitable walls are arranged across the front of these compartments, so that the mail matter in the pockets will be held in place whether the compartment is open or closed. Each compartment is provided with a handle 13, and when in closed position, is held closed by a spring-catch 14. If desired, the hinged part may be provided with a lock 15. Then the compartment is tilted forward through an angle of substantially 90 degrees, as shown in Fig. 2, the spring-catch engages with a rim or flange 16, near the back wall of the compartment, and acting as a stop to prevent further forward movement. If, however, the mail carrier desires to remove the compartment entirely from its casing, he can lift the spring-catch and then after a slight further tilting of the compartment, can lift it clear of its hinges and carry it away, as to the post office from which he obtains his supply of mail. The hinge whereby this removal of the compartment is made possible, is shown in Fig. 3, as comprising a stationary socket 17, secured to the casing l, and a movable member 18 secured to the compartment and having a flat tongue 19, narrow enough to admit of removal through a slot 20 when the casing has been tilted forward far enough.

As a protection to the mail against driving storms and similar contingencies, the front of each compartment is provided along its edge with a rubber gasket 21, forming a tight closure between the compartmentfront and the flange 3 of casing 1. This insures a water tight cabinet when the compartments are closed. Even when a compartment is open, the mail is protected from rain and storm by the curved top wall 10.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A mail cabinet comprising, in combination, a rigid casing, and a segmental compartment fitting within said casing and having pockets, the front of said compartment being pivotally mounted on the front of said casing and adapted to swing said compartment outward and downward to afford access to said pockets.

2. A mail cabinet comprising in combination a rain-proof segmental casing adapted for attachment to a vehicle, and a segmental compartment hinged at its front to said casing, and adapted to swing on a horizontal axis said compartment having a curved upper wall and a row of pockets covered by said curved wall.

' 3. In a mail cabinet, the combination of a rain-proof casing, and a segmental compartment having its front detachably hinged to said casing and adapted to swing outward and downward therefrom, said compartment having a curved upper wall and mail pockets radially disposed beneath said wall and protected thereby;

4. In a mail cabinet, the combination of a rain-proof casing, means for securing said casing to the front of a vehicle, a compartment fitting within said casing and having its front hinged to said casing, said compartment having a curved upper wall and a 'row of mail pockets underneath said wall and protected thereby, said compartment being adapted to swing outward and downward with said hinged front to afford access to said pockets, one after another.

5. In a mail cabinet, the combination of a rain-proof casing adapted for attachment to a road vehicle, and a pivotally mounted compartment within said casing and having a flat front which is adapted to swing away from said casing through an angle of substantially 90 degrees, and a stop for limiting further swinging movement of said compartment, said compartment having a plurality of mail pockets radially disposed and arranged to be progressively and completely exposed as said compartment swings on its pivotal mounting.

6. In a mail cabinet, the combinations of a segmental casing having a flange for engagement with the dashboard of a vehicle, a segmental compartment fitting within said casing and having its front hinged to said casing, but detachable at the hinge, said compartment having a curved upper wall and a row of mail pockets underneath said wall and protected thereby.

*7. In a mail cabinet, the combination of a casing having a flanged front, a compartment normally fitting within said casing and having its front hinged thereto and adapted to tilt forward to withdraw said compartment from said casing, a spring catch limiting the forward movement of said compartment, pockets in said compartment accessible at the side, and a curved upper wall above said pockets.

8. In a mail cabinet, the combination of a water tight casing, a compartment having its front wall fitted to an opening in said casing with a tight oint, hinges connecting said front wall with said casing, and allowing the front to tilt forward, said hinges permitting complete detachment of said compartment from said casingwhen desired, a spring catch for engagement with said. compartment to limit the forward tilting movement and a plurality of pockets in said compartment open only at an end.

In testimony whereof, I have herewith set my hand this 22nd day of November, 1909.

CASSIUS M. IIAMILTON. Witnesses:

ADDISON THOMAS,

D. M. EAGER. 

